Team USA's 'Blade Angels' Stumble in Winter Olympics Debut

Alysa Liu and other top American figure skaters face early challenges in Milan

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The highly anticipated Team USA women's figure skating trio, dubbed the 'Blade Angels', struggled in their debut performances at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Alysa Liu, a two-time Olympian, led the American contingent but encountered difficulties in the short program, along with her teammates.

Why it matters

The 'Blade Angels' were expected to be a dominant force for the United States in figure skating at the Winter Games, but their early stumbles have raised questions about the team's ability to capture gold medals as anticipated.

The details

Alysa Liu, the team's veteran leader, was unable to land several of her signature jumps cleanly, resulting in a lower-than-expected score. Her teammates also encountered issues, leading to an overall disappointing start for the highly touted American squad.

  • The 'Blade Angels' made their debut performances during the short program on Tuesday night in Milan.

The players

Alysa Liu

A two-time Olympian and the leader of the 'Blade Angels' figure skating team for the United States.

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What they’re saying

“I kind of liked it,”

— Alysa Liu (Yahoo Daily News)

What’s next

The 'Blade Angels' will look to rebound in the upcoming free skate program as they aim to capture gold medals for Team USA.

The takeaway

The early struggles of the highly touted 'Blade Angels' figure skating team have raised concerns about their ability to live up to the hype and deliver gold medals for the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.